Regulator adjustment for watches and other horological instruments



A TIOH/VYS BY /MQ LINE REGULATOR ADJUSTMENT FOR WATCHES AND Filed May 101951 INVENTOR. T125 E ,eff/VR y L f/vLE OTHER HOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENTSMarch 10, 1953 Patented Mar. 110, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEREGULATOR ADJUSTMENT FOR WATCHES AND OTHER HOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS HenryLine, Carlisle, Pa.

Application May 10, 1951, Serial No. 225,631

(Cl. Sii- 113) 12 Claims. 1

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in horologioa-linstruments and more particularly to regulators for watches and thelike, the primary object of the invention being to provide an adjustmentfor the regulator which may be quickly and readily actuated to overcomethe many diiiiculties now encountered in the regulating of watches withconventional regulating means.

It is a known fact that the oscillations of a watch balance are notstrictly isochronous and the periodic time varies more or less withamplitude. However, it is not practicable to obtain a constantamplitude, since this dep-ends, for example, on changes of position ofthe watch which cause changes of friction. The variation of the forceexerted by the main spring will also cause variations of the amplitudeof the balance throughout the days run and, furthermore, the amplitudeof oscillation diminishes over long periods of time as the viscosity ofthe oil changes. In other words, a variety of factors affect theamplitude of the balance of a watch. Therefore, it will be seen that itis not possible to have oscillations of constant amplitude and it isnecessary to reduce as far as possib-le the influence of amplitude onthe rate of the watch.

It has long been known that a considerable part of the departure fromisochronism is due to the clearance between the pins on the regulator,or the one pin and the boot of the regulator. This -clearance isnecessary to insure that the spring is not damaged when the regulator ismoved. It would be possible, under certain circumstances, to eliminatethe pins, but if this is done, the possibility of easy adjustment of therate of the watch is removed. For instance, to correct the rate of awatch without using the regulator, that is, without changing the eectivelength of the balance spring, it would be necessary to adjust the momentof inertia of the balance. There are many problems involved in such aconstruction and the method of adjusting under such circumstances wouldbe unpopular with repairmen who prefer the regulator, regardless of itsevils, since it is a practical means of changing the rate of a watch.

It is also a well known fact that the clearance of the spring betweenthe pins, or the curb pin and boot of the regulator, has considerablebearing on the performance as regards isochronism. The fact that thespring wire is not gripped is the most serious defect of the normalregulator, since it renders it impossible to obtain a stable rate.Furthermore, after a watch has been operationally set for an appreciableperiod of time, the pins and spring may acquire a certain accumulationof moisture and/or lubricant oil, which results in an appreciablephysical change in the relationship of the elements one to the other,causing a variation in the resilient rebound induced in the balancewheel. Obviously, this results in a changing of the timing of the Watch.This uncertain element of maladjustment in the tension of the springmakes positive compensatory regulation unfeasible. This results undernormal conditions in a hit or miss adjustment being made which, in mostinstances, will not regulate the watch sufficiently to satisfy the owneror user even for a short time.

My invention -contemplates a new and improved structure, including anadjustable element in substitution for one of the conventionalstationary pins which has a distinct and denite movement ofpredetermined travel wlren manually actuated by the operator. Thiselement is so designed with a head to rock or oscillate on the regulatorarrow and capable of being retained in an adjusted position by aresilient pressure on the head thereof. This element co-operates withthe other pin or the boot of the regulator to bind the spring and causethe necessary variation in its tension, thus making the desired timingadjustment.

It is, therefor, an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved regulator mechanism for watches, and the like, which will avoidthe various disadvantages and llimitations of the present day knownmechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedregulator mechanism which will enable a more positive adjustment to bemade in the timing than is possible under the conventional construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedregulator mechanism which will not be materially affected by moistureand vapors ordinarily arising from watch movements and settling on themechanism to affect the timing thereof.

A still further object resid-es in providing pins, one of which iscapable of movement with respect to the other to bring the spring incontact therewith Without interfering with the effective functioningthereof.

A still further object resides in providing a new and improved regulatormechanism which is simple and `durable in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture `and one whichv will be very eflficient and useful inoperation.

With these and numerous other objects in vieW, my invention consists inthe novel features of construction, combination and arrangement ofparts, as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointedout in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application,

Figure 1 is a general top view of a regulator mechanism embodying thisinvention;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation, as seen on line 2 2 of Figure 1, withthe movable tension pin in closed position;

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2, with the tension pin in openposition;

Figure 4 is a sectional detail on line 4-4 of Figure 3, of the pressurespring used in this embodiment;

Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken on line 5--5 of Figure 2, of thepressure spring with the tension pin in position;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the pressure spring;

Figure '7 is a side elevation of the tension pin in elevation;

Figure 8 is a view in elevation taken at right angles to Figure '7Figure 9 is a detail to show the pressure and stationary pins in aposition to bind the hair spring used in the mechanism on line 9-9 ofFigure 2;

Figure 10 is a view in perspective of the regulator arm modified to holdthe tension pin; and

Figure 11 is a perspective detail of the head of the tension pin showingits underside particularly.

l'n the drawing, similar reference characters designate similar partsthroughout the various views and this drawing illustrates a completeregulator mechanism. In a general way, the structure here shown includesthe components shown and described in my Patent No. 2,482,351, issuedSeptember 20, 1949.

The structure includes a balance bridge I, a balance wheel 3, and a hairspring 4. The jewel plate 6, which positions the bearing jewel in place,is secured in position by the screws 5. The jewel plate is encompassedby a conventional regulator ring I3 which is split as shown at Ill. Theregulator arrow or indicator arm I5 extends from the ring I3 anddiametrically opposite the arm I5 is the short arm I6 which hasprojecting downwardly therefrom the pin or boot il. One of the mostimportant features of my invention, namely, an adjustable pin or thelike, referred to in the drawing generally by the numeral 2), issupported on the arm I5 and projected through a rectangular slot 2iarranged longitudinally in the arm I5 adjacent its outer end. rlhe slot2| is intersected by the grooves or slots 22 in the upper face of thearm I6, extending transversely of the latter and said grooves or slots22 are substantially U-shaped in cross section, as best seen in Figure10 of the drawing.

This member 20 includes a circular head 23 having its upper surface 26bevelled from two edges and converging in a central ridge or the like 25extending diametrically of said head, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Theunder face of the head 23 is nat and has a lug 29 extendingdiametrically thereof, said lug being semi-circular in cross section andadapted to t in the grooves 22 of the arm i5. Projecting from the head23 between the lugs 29 is the pin 2l which isvsubstantially the samelength as the stationary Vpin or boot I, the lower end of said pin beingslightly curved, as best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 7. As stated above,the pin is projected through the slot 2I so that the lugs 29 t in thegrooves 22 permitting the pin to be rocked or oscillated on the arm I6.When the pin is moved in one direction, as shown in Figure 2, the lowerend of the pin 2'! will be substantially parallel with the pin I'I' andengage the outer convolution of the spring When the pin is rocked in theopposite direction, the pin 2l will be disengaged from the spring Il, asshown in Figure 3 of the drawing.

The pin 2l is retained in its various positions when moved thereto bythe frictional resistance induced by a pressure spring 24 against one ofthe converging faces 26 of the head 23, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3of the drawing. This pressure spring 2t is shown disconnected in Figure6 of the drawing and is shown to be relatively thin and flat, with tworectangular slots 30 and 3| in spaced longitudinal alignment. The oneend of said spring 24 is curved or hooked, as shown at 32 and adapted tocontact the head 23, that is, either on one face or the other of thebevelled faces 26. This spring 24 is held in position on the regulatorring I3 through the medium of a head 33 or a stud 34 extending throughthe slot 3i?. The T-head 33 is set transversely and the spring 24 can befastened in position by aligning the slot with said head and turning thespring to a degree angle to retain the spring under said head, as shownin Figure ll. The slot 3i is brought into alignment with an upstandingstud 35 carried on said regulator ring and acts as a guide for saidspring in its movement with respect to the regulator mechanism. Thespring 24 when in position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is undertension so that the resiliency thereof may properly affect the moveableor adjustable pin.

To operate the mechanism, adjustment of the regulator is accomplishedfirst by moving the leaf-spring 22 to the right, as shown in Figure 3,so that the curved end 32 will ride over the head 2li of the moveablepin to contact the one bevelled face 2S so that said pin 21 will bemoved away from the pin or boot I'I and out of contact with theconvolution of the hair spring 4. After this has been accomplished, theindicator arm I5 is moved in whichever direction desired to theapproximate position determined to suit the timing required. Finally,the spring 24 is moved to the left, as shown in Figure 2, so that thecurved end 32 of said spring will ride over the ridge 25 of the head 23and rock the pin on its bearings so that said pin 21 will contact thespring :i and substantially retain the latter in contact with the pin orboot I'I. Additional adjustments, if and when necessary, can beaccomplished by repeating the above procedure as often as required untilcorrect timing is attained. In either position, as shown in Figures 2and 3, the pin 2i is resilient-ly held firmly by the spring 24 and inorder to assist in the movement of the spring 24 with respect to theother elements, the notches 28 are provided in the side edges thereofwhich will receive therein portions of an instrument in the fingers ofthe operator.

From the foregoing description of my improved regulator, the method ofapplying same to use will be readily understood and it will be seen thatI have provided a comparatively simple, inexpensive and efficient meansfor carrying out the various objects of theinvention. With thisstructure, theremay be accuracy. of performance,

stability of rate, ease and rapidity of adjustment, safety of the hairspring and ease of operation.

While I have particularly described the elements best adapted to performthe various functions set forth, it is apparent that various changes inform, proportion and in the minor details of construction may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theprinciples of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a horological regulator mechanism including a regulator indicatorarm, a balance wheel and a hair spring for controlling the operation ofthe Whole, an auxiliary regulating mechanism comprising a pin meansmounted on said arm and extending into the plane of said spring, and amember freely removable and oscillatingly mounted on said arm adjacentto said pin means and adapted to be moved through a predetermined amountof travel to co-operatively hold said spring in conjunction with saidmeans.

2. In a horological regulator mechanism including a regulator indicatorarm, a balance Wheel and a hair spring for controlling the operation ofthe Whole, an auxiliary regulating mechanism comprising a pin meansmounted on said arm and extending into the plane of said spring, and amember freely removable and oscillatingly mounted on said arm adjacentto said pin means and adapted to be moved through a predetermined amountof travel to co-operatively hold said spring in conjunction with saidmeans and means for locking said member in predetermined positions.

3. In a horological regulator mechanism including a regulator indicatorarm, a balance wheel and a hair spring for controlling the operation ofthe Whole, an auxiliary regulating mechanism comprising a stationary pinmeans mounted on said arm and extending into the plane of said spring,and a member freely removable and oscillatingly mounted on said armadjacent to said pin means and adapted to be moved through apredetermined amount of travel to co-operatively hold said spring inconjunction with said means, and manually operable means for moving andlocking said member in effective and ineffective positions with respectto said hair spring.

4. In a horological regulator mechanism including an indicator arm.ring, balance wheel and hair spring, a movable member adjustably mountedon said arm for rocking movement thereon and extending into the plane ofsaid spring and arranged to engage and disengage a convolution of saidhair spring as it is moved into different predetermined positions onsaid arm, and means for actuating and simultaneously resiliently holdingsaid member in said positions.

5. In a horological regulator mechanism including an indicator arm,ring, balance Wheel and hair spring, a movable member rockably mountedon said arm and extending into the plane of said spring and arranged toengage and disengage a convolution of said hair spring as it is movedinto diiferent predetermined positions on said arm and manually operablemeans for rocking and simultaneously resiliently holding said member insaid positions.

6. In a horological regulator mechanism in- CFI cluding an indicatorarm, ring, balance Wheel and hair spring, a movable member adjustablymounted on said arm and extending into the plane of said spring andarranged to engage and disengage said hair spring as it is moved intodifferent predetermined positions on said arm, and means for resilientlyholding said member in said positions, said member being locked on saidarm by said means and arranged for removal and replacement byre-align-ing the means in relation thereto, said member including a headwith a converging upper face portion and a lug on its underside, adaptedto be located in a slot and groove arrangement provided therefor in saidarm to permit the said positions to be derived by hingedly moving saidmember on its head against said spring.

7. In a ho-rological regulator mechanism including an indicator arm,ring, balance wheel and h-air spring, a fixed pin on said arm, a movablepin rockably seated on said arm and having a head thereon, and aslidable means on said arm having ycontact with the head of said movablepin to actuate the latter on said arm.

8. The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the slidable means is aresilient member tending to resiliently retain th-e movable pin inpredetermined adjusted positions.

9. yThe device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the head of the movablepin is dual faced, and the slidable means is a resilient member having aportion thereof adapted for Contact with the faces of the head of themovable pin to actuate the latter and resiliently retain the same inpredetermined adjusted positions.

10. A device as set forth in claim '7, wherein the head of the movablepin is dual faced, and the slidable means includes a flat spring havingone end thereof adapted for contact with ythe faces on the head of saidmovable pin to resilient- 1y retain said latter pin in predeterminedadjust-ed positions.

1l. In a horological regulator mechanism including an indicator arm,ring, balance Wheel and hair spring, a fixed pin on said arm extendinginto the plane of said spring, and a second pin rockably seated on saidarm adjacent said xed pin and adapted to cooperate with the latter inits relation with the hair spring.

12. In a horological regulator mechanism including an indicator arm,ring, balance wheel and hair spring, a fixed pin on said arm extendinginto the plane of said spring, and a second pin roc-kably seated on saidarm adjacent said fixed pin adapted to cooperate with the latter in itsrelation with the hair spring, and manually operable means for rockingthe second pin on its seat.

HENRY LINE.

REFEREN CES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 665,889 Erikson Jan. 15, 1901FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,766 Great Britain Oct. 13, 1888

